10 Captivating Photos of 1970s Home Décor to Flood You With Nostalgia

Imagine stepping into a time machine and finding yourself in the groovy 1970s. Neil Diamond’s tunes are playing on the record player, you’re lounging on the shag carpet with friends, and that Harvest Gold rotary phone is ringing, possibly carrying a call from your crush. (Ambien) Ah, the ’70s, a time of simplicity and style.

Just like the iconic music, movies, and fashion of the era, the ’70s were also marked by unforgettable interior design trends. Join us on a journey down memory lane as we explore the most iconic 1970s home décor. Some of these designs might bring back fond memories, while others, well, we’d rather keep them in the past.

1. Hanging Chairs

Swinging wasn’t just for playgrounds in the ’70s. With the Hanging Egg Chair by Nanna and Jorgen Ditzel, even adults could experience the joy of hanging mid-air, and in a seriously stylish way!

2. Various Posters

Bedroom walls were the canvas for self-expression in the ’70s. Teens and tweens covered their spaces with posters of beloved bands and actors, turning their rooms into personal shrines to icons like David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, and Barbra Streisand.

3. Sunken Living Rooms

Step down into your living room like a true ’70s trendsetter. Sunken living rooms, or “conversation pits,” were popular during the era. Architects like Bruce Goff, Eero Saarinen, and Alexander Girard embraced this unique design, creating cozy and conversation-friendly spaces.

4. Rattan Furniture

The ’70s saw a resurgence of wicker furniture, even though it had a tendency to poke at you uncomfortably. This trend coincided with the popularity of antiques, adding a touch of nostalgia to homes.

5. Wood Paneling

Forget paint colors—wood paneling was all the rage. Despite its name, it wasn’t always real wood, but it sure gave that cozy and rustic look. The iconic ’70s Brady Bunch home boasted these panels on its walls.

6. Woven Wall Art

Macramé wall hangings were the hip thing in the ’70s. These handcrafted pieces of hanging art added a touch of boho chic to any groovy apartment, creating a unique and functional décor.

7. Egg Chairs

Oval, pod, globe, egg—whatever you call it, the egg chair left an unmistakable mark on ’70s home décor. Designed by Eero Aarnio in the ’60s and refined in the ’70s, it became a symbol of stylish comfort.

8. Shag Carpeting

Shag carpets: fluffy, fun, and a nightmare to clean. Yet, in the ’70s, they adorned floors in vibrant shades of pink, yellow, blue, and more. From living rooms to bedrooms, they were as popular as David Cassidy’s hairstyle.

9. Fully-Plaid Rooms

Plaid went from being a Scottish tradition to a ’70s sensation in the United States. Tartan patterns dominated homes, adding a touch of patterned flair to interiors. Even Daisy Duke rocked the plaid trend on TV.

10. Bean Bag Chairs

Step back to 1968 when three visionary Italian designers—Piero Gatti, Cesare Paolini, and Franco Teodoro—collaborated with the company Sacco to create a chair that perfectly embodied the counterculture spirit of the era.  Embraced by the youth of the 1970s, this chair’s unconventional form and free-spirited essence resonated deeply. Its unique appeal was not only about its shape but also its portability, making it a favored choice for those who craved on-the-go comfort, easily stowed in vans and cars.